Ogam Inscriptions in Ireland, Scotland, and ... - House of Dubhros

VlllPREFACE.Corkaguiny, studded with those mysterious monuments of aremote past which had attracted Sir Samuel Ferguson hither,and amongst which he had spent some previous weeks.*After some diligent work a fine cast of the pillar-stone onDunmore Head was taken, but before it was yet dry enough toremove, a furious gale arose, accompanied by torrents of rain.The stone was quickly enveloped in waterproof and greatcoat, whilst their owners, denuded of them, and regardless ofthe storm, stood close, so as still further to protect the preciouscast. By and by the storm abated, but not until the daywas already far spent, and the deepening shadows threatenedto benight the party in their dangerous position on the wildmountain. Cautiously the cast was loosened the protectingwaterproof still held over it, but it was moist and pulpy.At last, at the most critical moment, when about to be transferredto the box, a sudden gust of wind got under, and in aninstant it was carried aloft. The toilers stood dismayed,watching its gyrations in upper air until the precious thing,torn to pieces, was whirled into the Atlantic !Weary, wet,and disappointed, they descended the mountain to the house,where horse and car were waiting ;here the travellers founda hospitable meal of tea and eggs prepared, for which theirkindly hosts would receive no payment ; warmed and fedthey continued their way, returning on the following day,when, under bright sun and fair sides, a wholly successfulcast of the stone was made, and carried off in safety.The spoils of a summer holiday were the material for awinter's work. During the last months of Sir Samuel's life,when health had given way, and he was no longer ableto move about as of old, he would have the casts brought tohis bedside, and with feeble hands he would turn and examinethem, and endeaveur to unravel their true significance. Aslong as he could hold a pen, he continued to add to andcorrect the proofs of these Lectures. Those on Irish Oghamswere revised by him, but the chapters011 Welsh and Scottishinscribed-stones had not been fully annotated when he died.* This group contains the singular Christian edifice of Gallerus. Also a beautifulchurch probably erected in the twelfth century, containing exquisite decorative ornament.This ruined church of Kilrnalkedar is a fine example of the Irish Romanesque.